CN111143098A

CN111143098A - Method for monitoring tasks for electronic modules

Info

Publication number: CN111143098A
Application number: CN201911071735.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: O·费朗
Original assignee: STMicroelectronics Rousset SAS
Current assignee: STMicroelectronics Rousset SAS
Priority date: 2018-11-06
Filing date: 2019-11-05
Publication date: 2020-05-12
Also published as: US20200143738A1; US11205377B2; EP3651021A1; FR3088125A1; EP3651021B1; CN211319200U

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods of monitoring tasks for electronic modules. The method comprises waiting for the execution of a task, timing the waiting, the timing being controlled by a clock signal, and generating an alarm signal when the timing of the waiting has exceeded a reference value. The device may be part of a multimedia interface (e.g., display) electronics module, and the task may be a graphical task (e.g., image refresh).

Description

Method for monitoring tasks for electronic modules

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from french patent application No. 1860187 filed on 6.11.2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

Implementations and embodiments relate to a method of monitoring tasks for an electronic module.

Background

The expression "watchdog" is commonly used by those skilled in the art to refer to a device that monitors the task of an electronic module.

Electronic modules of the multimedia interface type, in particular OLED ("organic light emitting diode") displays, or active matrix OLED displays, generally referred to by the acronym AMOLED standing for "active matrix OLED", are advantageous in many respects and are increasingly being used in all forms of applications.

One disadvantage that is almost unique to this type of display is its useful life. In fact, OLED displays age when they display static signals, especially white light static signals, for too long a period of time.

Of course, other types of electronic modules may age without the execution of a task, for example in the case of an electronic module controlled by an auxiliary element that may not be perfectly adapted or configured for the electronic module. Indeed, it may be difficult for a non-professional user to mitigate any hazardous situations using the electronic module by prediction.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments and examples relate to monitoring of tasks for electronic modules. Particular embodiments relate to the graphical task of a multimedia interface module of the OLED display type.

Embodiments may protect an electronic module during its use, for example, with respect to aging due to lack of execution of tasks.

According to one aspect, a method may be used to monitor a task for an electronic module. The method comprises waiting for the execution of a task, a timing of the waiting controlled by a clock signal and generating at least one alarm signal when the timing of the waiting has exceeded a reference value.

The clock signal and the reference value are advantageously co-configured in a manner that protects the use of the electronic module and in connection with the task.

According to one embodiment, timing the wait comprises counting with an automatic override comprising an increment or decrement controlled by a clock signal, automatically reinitializing the count value to an initial value when the count value reaches a final value, and generating a termination signal at each automatic reinitialization, the at least one generation comprising the generation of a termination signal constituting an alarm signal.

For example, counting with automatic reloading includes reinitializing the count value to an initial value, and a signal representing execution of a task as a reinitializing the count value to an initial value of a forced reload signal, without generating a termination signal, at the command of the forced reload signal.

This embodiment shows the advantage of being simple and reliable, in particular because the customary signals for multimedia interface control are used without implementing an analysis which can be complex and prone to faults.

The method advantageously further comprises comparing the count value with at least one other reference value, the at least one generation comprising a generation of a preliminary alarm signal when the count value equals at least one other reference value.

This provides the possibility to have additional alarm signals at lower cost.

The monitoring method may be specific to a multimedia interface electronics module such as a display and the task is a graphical task such as image refresh.

According to one embodiment, the clock signal corresponds to a count of a given number of image frames processed by the multimedia interface module.

Such a clock signal may advantageously be a trigger signal expressed using the method described in the french patent application entitled "Proc d ' propagation de signaling d ' clenches source command d ' une interface multim dia, et circuit int gr corresponding" (method of expressing a trigger signal for controlling a multimedia interface and its corresponding integrated circuit). This french patent application was filed on the same day as the priority application of the present patent application in the name of the present applicant and is incorporated herein by reference.

That is, the clock signal may also originate from some other source, such as the control unit of the multimedia interface module. Typically, the clock signal and the reference duration are co-configured in a manner that protects the use of the multimedia interface module and in conjunction with the graphics task. This implementation is one advantageous example of a common configuration using signals directly representative of the usage of the multimedia interface module in connection with the graphics task.

According to one embodiment, the execution of the graphics task includes transmitting an image refresh signal to the multimedia interface module.

According to one embodiment, the multimedia interface module is an organic light emitting diode based display module.

Advantageously, the reference value corresponds to a duration beyond which there is a risk of at least partially damaging the organic light emitting diode based display module displaying the static signal.

The method according to these embodiments makes it possible to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages of aging of an OLED display, in particular when the OLED display displays a static signal for too long.

According to another aspect, it is proposed a device for monitoring tasks of an electronic module, comprising a timer configured to wait for the execution of a task and to time the waiting in a clock signal controlled manner, and configured to generate at least one alarm signal when the time of the waiting has exceeded at least one reference value.

According to one embodiment, the timer comprises a counter with an automatic override, which is configured to increment or decrement the value of the counter in a manner controlled by a clock signal, and when the value of the counter reaches a final value, to automatically reinitialize the value of the counter to an initial value and to generate a termination signal, which constitutes a safety signal.

For example, the counter is further configured to reload the value of the counter to an initial value, and wherein the signal representative of the execution of the task is used as a force reload signal to reload the value of the counter to an initial value, under the command of the force reload signal, without generating a termination signal.

Advantageously, the device further comprises a comparator configured to compare the value of the counter with at least one other reference value and to generate at least one preliminary alarm signal when the value of the counter equals the at least one other reference value, respectively.

The device may be dedicated to a multimedia interface electronics module such as a display and the task is a graphical task such as image refresh.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a device for generating a trigger signal configured to generate a clock signal corresponding to a count of a given amount of image frames displayed by the multimedia interface.

According to one embodiment, the timer is configured to wait, by an external control module of the multimedia interface, for the execution of a graphics task comprising the transmission of an image refresh signal to the multimedia interface module.

According to one embodiment, the device is dedicated to a multimedia interface module of the type of an organic light emitting diode-based display module.

Advantageously, the at least one reference value corresponds to a duration beyond which there is a risk of at least partially damaging the organic light emitting diode based display module displaying the static signal.

It is also proposed an integrated circuit comprising a device as defined above and an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a smart watch, comprising the integrated circuit or the device as defined above.

Drawings

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from a detailed description of purely non-limiting examples and embodiments and from a review of the attached drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate various implementations of the present invention;

figures 3 to 5 illustrate schematically various embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a method for monitoring tasks 100 of an electronic module IM, comprising waiting for the execution of the tasks 110, a timing of the waiting controlled by a clock signal TTEV 120 and generating at least one alarm signal AR 130 when the timing of the waiting has exceeded 140 a reference value 150.

Fig. 1 relates to the specific case of a multimedia interface electronic module, such as a display and preferably of the organic light emitting diode "OLED" display type, the task monitored being a graphical task.

The method is specified to be implemented by an integrated circuit device.

The method comprises a waiting 110 for the execution of the graphics task 100 and a timing 120 of the waiting controlled by the clock signal TTEV.

The execution of the graphics task 100 may transmit an image refresh signal to the multimedia interface module IM.

The image refresh signal, which is sent for example from an external control element to the multimedia interface module IM, can be a specific signal, for example originating from a software instruction, or automatically generated each time an image refresh instruction is given by the control element. Image refresh instructions within the framework of a display-type module typically include new graphics data to be displayed.

The current value of the timing 120 will be compared 140 with at least one reference value 150. If the current value of the timing 120 is greater than or equal to the reference value, at least one corresponding alarm signal AR 130 is generated.

Otherwise, if the timing of the waiting has exceeded the reference value 150, an alarm signal AR 130 is generated.

For example, the clock signal TTEV corresponds to a count of a given amount of image frames processed by the multimedia interface module.

For the display multimedia interface module IM, the "amount of processed image frames" refers to the amount of frames displayed at the refresh frequency of the display, defined by the number of images displayable per second, also referred to as the vertical scanning frequency.

The difference between the refresh (vertical scan) frequency of the display and the image refresh signal must be made clear: the refresh (vertical scan) frequency of the display is an inherent property of the multimedia interface module and the image refresh signal is a control signal that is typically accompanied by graphics data from, for example, an external control element.

In other words, the image refresh signal refers to a signal that introduces changes to the displayed signal, while the amount of image frames processed at the refresh frequency may include the display of consecutive identical frames, i.e., static signals.

Thus, the clock signal TTEV corresponding to the counting of a given amount of image frames processed by the multimedia interface module IM may represent the display of a static signal.

In the case of an OLED display type module, this embodiment makes it possible to protect the display from premature wear.

In this regard, the reference value 150 is determined such that it corresponds to a duration beyond which there is a risk of damage to the OLED display module displaying the static signal.

Of course, the reference value depending on the clock signal TTEV is determined by considering the hardware limit of the OLED display module used.

Thus, both the reference value and the clock signal are programmable to configure them jointly in a manner that protects the use of a given multimedia interface module and in connection with a given graphics task.

For its programming, the reference value may be, for example, a variable recorded in a register.

For its programming, the clock signal TTEV may be an external shared clock signal, or preferably a dedicated signal generated by a microcontroller, or more preferably a synchronization signal possibly sent by the multimedia interface module, or even more preferably a trigger signal expressed by a method or an integrated circuit taught in the french patent application entitled "Proc d 'delay design default times closed loop command d' interface multiple times dia, et circuit time ground coherent transmitter" (expressing a method for controlling a trigger signal of a multimedia interface and its corresponding integrated circuit). This french patent application was filed by the applicant on the same day as the priority application of the present patent application.

In fact, the method for expressing the trigger signal for controlling a multimedia interface and the corresponding integrated circuit thereof described above make it possible to generate a flexible and variable trigger signal TTEV, generating a clock signal that is perfectly configured to protect the use of a given multimedia interface module in conjunction with a given graphics task.

Furthermore, the method is advantageously implemented in a manner distinct from the multimedia interface control operation (which is typically done by a microcontroller). Thus, the method makes it possible to protect the display in case of control operation failure, even in case the latter includes similar precautions.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a timer 120 of a method such as that described in connection with fig. 1.

In this example, the method, in order to time the wait 120, includes utilizing a count 210 with an automatic override, controlled by a clock signal type signal 211. The clock signal TTEV is used to directly control 211 the counter 210.

It does not matter whether the count 210 is an incremented count-up included at each rising edge of the clock signal TTEV or a decremented count-down included at each rising edge of the clock signal TTEV.

When the count value reaches the final value (typically a programmable value for up-counting and zero for down-counting), the count value will be automatically reinitialized 220-bit initial value (typically zero for up-counting and a programmable value for down-counting).

When the count value reaches a final value, a termination signal 222 is generated.

Thus, the programmable initial value (for counting down) or the final value (for counting up) is determined as a function of the clock signal TTEV in such a way that the termination of the count represents the reference duration (reference value).

The reference value corresponds to a duration beyond which no graphics task is problematic.

The termination signal 222 may thus directly constitute the alarm signal AR.

Further, the count with automatic reload 210 includes a reinitialization 221 that resets the count value to an initial value upon command of the force reload signal 223 and does not generate the termination signal 222.

Here, the signal RAF indicating the execution of the graphics task is directly used as the forced reload signal 223.

Thus, after the execution of the graphical task, the count value is reinitialized and waits for the passage of the entire reference duration before generating the alarm signal AR.

The method may include comparing 230 the count value with at least one other reference value, which may also be programmable and stored in a register.

If the value of the count 210 is equal to at least one other reference value 150, a corresponding preliminary alarm signal 232 is generated.

The preliminary or non-preliminary

alert signals

222, 232 may allow commands of the multimedia interface to take protective measures.

For example, in the above-mentioned case of preventing static display on the OLED display, the command may specify a standby mode for displaying a dynamic image or turn off the screen. Forcing the screen off can also be a final solution, which is advantageous for example in case of a command failure.

Fig. 3 shows a specific example of a device DIS for monitoring tasks of an electronic module.

The monitoring device DIS is configured to wait for the execution of a task, to wait for the timing in a manner controlled by at least one clock signal TTEV, and to generate at least one safety signal AR when the timing of the waiting exceeds at least one reference value.

Likewise, fig. 3 relates to a specific example in which the electronic module is a multimedia interface, such as a display and preferably an organic light emitting diode, OLED, display, the task monitored being a graphical task.

The monitoring device DIS comprises for example a 16-bit counter CNT with an automatic override RA. The value of the counter CNT is incremented or decremented in a manner controlled by the clock signal TTEV.

In the following, an example of a decrementing counter will be considered, the value of which is decremented by a clock signal TTEV. This example is not limiting.

The initial value of the counter is automatically loaded from the automatic reload register RA. When the value of the counter is decremented to a final value, typically zero, the initial value will automatically be reinitialized and a decrement termination signal AR is generated. Here, the decrement termination signal is directly used as the security signal AR.

Nevertheless, forcing the reload signal may make it possible to command the reinitialization of the value of the counter CNT to its initial value before reaching zero and not to generate the decrement termination signal AR. The signal RAF representing the execution of a graphics task is directly used as a forced reload signal.

The monitoring device DIS may comprise a comparator CMP configured to compare the current value of the counter CNT with at least one reference value recorded in a register. When the value of the counter reaches at least one reference value, at least one corresponding preliminary alarm signal preAR is generated to mark the approach of a dangerous situation.

The monitoring device DIS is most particularly suitable for a multimedia interface module of the display type based on OLED organic light emitting diodes.

In fact, not refreshing the display for too long a time may irreversibly damage the OLED display interface.

Thus, the events generated by the graphics task may advantageously comprise a signal RAF representative of an image refresh.

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary application of a device DIS, such as described above in connection with fig. 3, in a system comprising an integrated circuit CI. The integrated circuit CI comprises said device DIS, a multimedia interface module IM and a control unit GPU of the multimedia interface IM. In particular, the individual elements are connected via a data BUS.

In this example, the multimedia interface module IM is an OLED organic light emitting diode based display module and the device DIS is dedicated to a multimedia interface module IM of the OLED organic light emitting diode based display module type.

In this example, the integrated circuit CI comprising the device DIS further comprises a device for generating a trigger signal TTEVGEN, which is configured to generate the clock signal TTEV.

Said clock signal TTEV corresponds, for example, to a count of the number of given image frames displayed by the multimedia interface IM, as described, for example, in the french patent application entitled "Proc d 'registration de signaling d' unit interface multim dia, et circuit int gre corresponding" (method of expressing a trigger signal for controlling a multimedia interface and its corresponding integrated circuit). This french patent application was filed by the applicant on the same day as the priority application of the present patent application.

Here, too, the image refresh signal refers to a signal that introduces variations into the displayed signal and the number of image frames processed at the refresh frequency may include the display of consecutive identical frames, i.e., static signals.

In the system SYS, the control unit GPU may transmit the image data DAT and control signals such as the image refresh signal RAF to the multimedia interface module IM. The image refresh signal RAF transmitted by the control unit GPU controls the display of new image data replacing old image data.

In this example, the device DIS is configured to wait, on behalf of the graphics task, for the transfer of the image refresh signal RAF to the multimedia interface module IM by the control module of the multimedia interface GPU.

The device DIS is configured to generate the alarm signal AR if no image refresh RAF is transmitted within a period of time. Beyond this period of time there is a risk of at least partially damaging the OLED organic light emitting diode based display module displaying the static signal.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a smart watch, comprising a device DIS, such as described earlier in connection with fig. 3 or 4, which may be included in an integrated circuit CI.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these examples and embodiments, but includes all modifications thereof. It is particularly noted that the monitoring of tasks may be applied to any type of electronic module other than an OLED display, and that the monitored tasks may likewise have different properties.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a task for an electronic module, the method comprising:

waiting for execution of the task;

timing the wait, the timing being controlled by a clock signal; and

generating an alarm signal when the timing of the waiting has exceeded a reference value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein timing the waiting comprises:

counting with an automatic reload, including an increment or decrement controlled by the clock signal;

automatically reinitializing the count to an initial value when the value of the count reaches a final value; and

generating a termination signal at each automatic re-initialization, the termination signal forming the alarm signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the counting comprises reinitializing the value of the counting to the initial value without generating the termination signal at the command of a force reload signal, and wherein a signal representative of execution of the task is used as a force reload signal.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: comparing the value of the count to another reference value, wherein generating the termination signal comprises: generating a preliminary alarm signal when the value of the count equals the further reference value.

5. A method of monitoring graphics tasks for a multimedia interface module, the method comprising:

waiting for execution of the task;

timing the wait, the timing being controlled by a clock signal; and

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the method is performed with a display, and wherein the task is image refresh.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the clock signal corresponds to a count of a given amount of image frames processed by the multimedia interface module.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein performing the graphics task comprises: transmitting an image refresh signal to the multimedia interface module.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the multimedia interface module is an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) based display module.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the reference value corresponds to a duration beyond which there is a risk of at least partially damaging the Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) based display module displaying a static signal.

11. An apparatus for monitoring tasks of an electronic module, the apparatus comprising:

a timer configured to wait for execution of the task and to time the wait in a manner controlled by a clock signal, an

A signal generator configured to generate an alarm signal when the timing of the waiting has exceeded at least one reference value.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the timer comprises a counter with an automatic reload, the counter configured to increment or decrement a value of the counter in a manner controlled by the clock signal, and when the value of the counter reaches a final value, automatically reinitializing the value of the counter to an initial value and generating a termination signal, the termination signal forming the alarm signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the counter is further configured to: reloading the value of the counter to the initial value without generating the termination signal under the command of a force reload signal and wherein a signal representative of the execution of the task is used as the force reload signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a comparator configured to compare the value of the counter with another reference value and to generate a preliminary alarm signal when the value of the count equals the other reference value.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is part of a multimedia interface electronics module, and wherein the task is a graphical task.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is part of a display, and wherein the task is image refresh.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising a trigger signal generator configured to generate a clock signal corresponding to a count of a given amount of image frames displayed by the multimedia interface module.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the timer is configured to wait for the execution of the graphics task, the graphics task comprising communicating an image refresh signal to the multimedia interface module through an external control module of the multimedia interface.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is part of a multimedia interface module of the Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) based display module type.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the reference value corresponds to a duration beyond which there is a risk of at least partially damaging the Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) based display module displaying a static signal.